Umbrella pile anchor



Oct. 4, 1966 Filed June 28, 1965 K. M. BOWMAN ET Al- UMBRELLA PILE ANCHOR I. fi

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UMBRELLA PILE ANCHOR Filed June 28, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 64 SAE/w s 52 52 dns/05e' JQ. 5MM

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Oct. 4, 1966 K. M. BowMAN ET AL 3,276,173

UMBRELLA PILE ANCHOR Filed June 28, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent() 3,276,173 UMBRELLA PILE ANCHOR Kingston M. Bowman, Washington, D.C., and Jasper E. Smith, Ventura, Calif., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed June 28, 1963, Ser. No.1291,590 8 Claims. (Cl. 52-164) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States .of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates generally to subterranean anchors for supporting walls, piles, andthe like, and particularly to umbrella type anchors having arms adapted to be expanded underground to provide tension or bear- ,ing ysupports for corresponding loads.

In some harbor installations, employment of anchors and piles in a normal manner is either impractical or unduly expensive. Dragging of ordinary anchors during placement of moorings, or thereafter, may be objection- "able, hazardous, and unacceptable, particularly in crowded 4anchorages; space restrictions may prohibit placement of spread-type moorings; or the bedrock may be too deep to provide bearing support for conventional bearing or ,stake piles or too shallow to permit sufficient embedment.

The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide an umbrella pile anchor that can be successfully used as either an anchor for moorings or utilized as a pile in locations where standard pilings either could not be lused or would be uneconomical for such use.

, Other objects, .advantages and novel .features of the .invention will become apparent from the following `detailed description of the invention when considered in `conjunction with the'accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation, partly incross-section, illustrating the invention in its assembled form;

FIG. 2 is an elevation, partly in cross-section, illus- 4trating significant portions of the invention embedded in lof FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5i illustrating a detail of the invention; l

FIG. 8 is an elevation of the main working portions Fof the invention in an extended or working position;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken on the line 9 9, of FIG. 1; j

` FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 1.

With reference to FIG. 1, the umbrella pile-anchor comprises casing 21, follower tube 25, tubular frame 28, and toe plates 32. Tubular casing 21 is provided with lifting ears 22 which may be welded or otherwise 'suitably secured thereto, and four external peripheral grooves 23 of suflicient length to house certain portions of the umbrella structure 35 as will be more detailed hereinafter. As indicated on FIG. 4, these grooves 23 may be formed by cutting slots 24 of sufficient length in the lower end of the casing and then covering these slots with the formed members 23 which may be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the external walls of the casing. Casing 21 is supplied with a slot 26 in its upper portion for allowing chain 27 to protrude from the assembly below the driving tops of the casing and the follower tube 25. The latter is provided with a corresponding slot 29 for a similar purpose.

3,276,173 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 CC f.

With reference to all of the figures, follower tube 25 is fitted with a lower extension 30 which may be welded or suitably secured thereto. This lower extension 30 is adapted to lit over the upper end of tubular frame 28. Normally follower tube 25 and tubular frame 28 will be of the same external diameter. Frame 28 is provided at its lower end with a frame base 31 which is welded thereto. Frame base 31 is provided with a central aperture 33 which is positioned concentric with the longitudinal axis of the frame 28. A frame spacer 36 is then welded in place to and below frame base 31. As will be noted from FIG. 6, this frame spacer 36 is constructed in four parts. Each part consists of a quadrantal segment 37 to which is welded a longitudinal stiffener 38. While clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, these stiffeners have been omitted from FIGS. 2 and 5 for purposes of clarity. As will be obvious, frame spacer 36 is constructed by taking a length of suitable tubing, welding the longitudinal stiffeners thereto at four equally spaced points around the periphery of the tubing and then making four longitudinal cuts at points equidistant from the stiteners. When welded to their respective bases, frame base 31 'and spacer base plate 39, these quadrantal segments 37 .lugs 41 are provided as points of attachment for the flukes 50 as will be described later.

Concentric to tubular frame 28 and protruding through fthe central aperture 33 in frame base plate 31 is mounted runner 42. Chain link or shackle 43 is secured to the upper end of runner 42 for connecting the runner to .the chain 27. At the lower end of runner 42, arms 44 are provided which arms are welded to the bottom section of the runner. These arms 44 are equally spaced around the periphery of the runner and protrude through the slots 40 in the frame spacer 36. These arms 44 are provided with pins 45 so that bracing arms 55 may be attached thereto. It will be noted here that the travel of runner 42 is limited by the distance between frame base plate 31 and spacer base plate 39.

The umbrella structure 35` comprises, generally runner 42 with its arms 44, spacer base plate 39 with its lugs or padeyes 41, flukes 5,0 which are pivoted on the lugs 41, and bracing arms 55 which are pivotally connected to arms 44 and flukes 50.

Flukes 50 are a composite structure consisting of an upper planar portion 51, a centrally disposed stiiening rib 52 welded to the underside of planar portion 51, a pair of padeyes 53 welded on the upper end of the fluke for attachment .to the lugs 41, a padeye 54 for the pivotal attachment of bracing arm 55 to the planar portion 51 of the iluke 50, and a toe plate 32.

Toe plate 32 is a composite structure consisting of a heavy )bottom plate 60 having a radial extension 61 adapted to t closely below the groove 23 of casing 21. Essentially, these bottom plates 60 are generally quadrantal segments of an annulus having f1-peripheral diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the casing 21 and an internal diameter approximately twothirds of the peripheral diameter. On top of the radial extension 61, a lug 62 is welded. This lug 62 engages the inside wall of the casing 21 at groove 23 and keeps the toe plates in place at the bottom of the casing during the initial driving operation. A pair of upwardly extending, symmetrically formed, Aangular plates 63 are then welded adjacent the inner circular portion of the bottom plate 60. A centrally disposed gusset plate 64 is then welded along the upper angular joint of these angular plates 63 which, in turn, is then welded to the fluke parts 51 and 52. Thus, the toe plates 32 are rigidly slots out of the way of the hammer.

3 secured to the ends of the flukes 50 and by being fixed over the end of casing 21 during the initial driving operation, these comparatively massive bottom plates not only close-off the end of the driving casing 21 against the entry ofsoil and muck, but also adequately protect the umbrella pile-anchor in its initial driving configuration and after having been driven to its designed .depth in the ocean bottom 70. FIG. 2 illustrates the removal of the casing 21 and preparation to continue driving on the follower tube 25. As the driving commences, the inwardly inclined surfaces of angular plates `63 commence forcing the flukes outwardly. As the driving continues, the soil underneath vthe rig bears on the underside of the fl-ukes which continues and augments the outward thrust of the flukes and toe plates. ,-FIG. 5 illustrates the position of the ukes in approximately their half-open position. Arms 44 have risen .approximately half of their limited travel between ,the plates 31 and 39. Where an exact knowledge of the fluke positioning is desirable, an indicator 7'1, as shown in FIG. 2, may -be provided. This may be a simple tension spring and cable strung between the top of the follower tube 25 and the upwardly movablearm 44 wherein the length of the spring indicates lthe movement of the arm 44 and hence the opening of the dukes 50 or it may be more sophisticated, including markers or other suitable indicating devices.

With the continuation of the driving force, the frame 28 is `driven lower into Ithe soil and the flukes open fu-lly as shown in FIG. 8. Here the follower tube has ibeen removed and the umbrella anchor is in position for use as a mooring anchor.

In the practical use and operation of the invention, selected lengths of casings .and follower tubes are obtained depending on the depth to which the umbrella anchors are to be driven. The umbrella .anchor and follower tube are then assembled in the casing with the latter resting on thefluke -toe plates, the slots in the casing and follower tube aligned and the upper end of the chain placed in the The device is then lifted by the casing lifting ears and placed in position for Ydriving. Some slack is left in the chain so as to later permit the inner assembly to drop a foot or two. The entire assembly is then driven to a depth somewhat less than that desired for the anchor when the flukes a-re in open position. Driving is then continued on the follower tube alone until the inner .assembly is driven to the extent of the slack chain. At this point, the inner assembly is free of the casing and the latter may be removed after lifti-ng the chain out of the slots and holding it in a verti cal position.

Upon removal of the casing, the chain is returned to its follower tube slot and driving is contin-ued. When the desired depth is reached, an indicated by the indicator or otherwise measured, and the ukes are fully opened, the chain is removed from its slot and .the follower tube removed. The chain may then be .secured to the mooring apparatus.

When it is desired Ato use the invention .as a bearing pile, the driving is continued, as above, until the flukes are in their full open position. The chain is .then held in a vertical position and the follower tube and tubular frame 2S are filled with concrete. After the concrete hardens, the follower )tube becomes .an integral part of fth'e pile and the entire assemblage may be placed in service for bearing or .resistance to uplift. Excess chain extending above the top of the follower tube may be removed as desired.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

l1. An umbrella pile anchor comprising, in combination:

an outer protective driving casing;

tion; Y

an umbrella anchor assembly mounted within the Ilower portion of said driving casing, said anchor lassembly having means cooperating with said casing to seal o the driven en-d of said casing against the entry of 4silt .and soil while said casing is being driven;

an inner driving follower tube concentrically located Within said casing, said follower tube being adapted to drive said anchor .assembly downwardly clear of the driven end lof said casing;

a hollow frame concentrically mounted within said casing and .adapted to be driven Iby said inner driving follower tube;

.a frame base plate secured -transversely of the lower end of said frame, said frame base plate lhaving a central aperture therein;

a hollow spacer secu-red to the lower side of said frame base plate, said spacer being in axial alignment with said frame and said spacer being provided with a plurality of `longitudinal slots in its walls;

-a spacer Ibase plate secured transversely of the lower end of said spacer;

a plurality of expandable flukes pivoted to the lower surface of said spacer base plate;

a movable runner concentrically located in said frame and said spacer, said runner having .a shank passing through said central aperture in said frame base plate, a connection for a mooring chain at the upper end of said shank, and a plurality of arms -art the lower end of said shank, said arms protruding outwardly through said slots in said spacer; and

a plurality of pivoted bracing arms pivotally connecting said ukes with said runner.

2. An umbrella pile anch-or comprising:

an outer protective driving casing;

an umbrella anchor assembly mounted within the lower portion of said driving casing;

means, locate-d within said casing, for driving the anchor assembly downwardly clear of the driven end of said casing;

said umbrella `anchor assembly having a base plate and .a plurality of flukes pivoted at their upper ends to said base plate so as to be outwardly expandable; each of said flukes having a toe plate at its bottom end; each of said toe plates including a bottom plate which is substantially a quadrantal segment of an annulus having a peripheral diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the driven end of the casing and an upwardly extending plate connected adjacent the inner periphery of each bottom plate, said toe plates being engageable with one .another rto seal off the bottom opening of the casing and said upwardly ex- -tending plate of each toe plate further being operable to initiate expansion of the flukes when the anchor assembly is driven clear of the driven end of the casing.

3. An umbrella pile anchor as claimed in claim 2 where- 1n:

said umbrella anchor assembly has means to -limit the expansion of said flukes; and

indicator means for indicating the extent of expansion of said ukes.

4. An umbrella pile anchor comprising:

. an outer protective driving casing;

an umbrella .anchor assembly enclosed within the lower portion of said driving casing;

means connected to the anchor .assembly and located within said driving casing for drivingythe anchor assembly downwardly clear of fthe driven end of the casing;

said anchor assembly having a plurality of outwardly expand-able tlukes; and j said flukes having toe plates which are engageable with one .another to seal off the driven end of the' casing.

`5. An umbrella pile anchor comprising, in combinaan outer protective driving casing;

an umbrella anchor assembly mounted within the lower portion of said driving casing, said anchor assembly having means cooperating with said casing t-o seal olf the driven end of said casing against the entry of 5 `silt and soil while said casing .is being driven;

an inner driving `follower tube concentrically located within said casing, said follower tube being adapted lto drive said yanchor assembly downwardly clear of the driven end of said casing;

said umbrella anchor assembly incorporating a plurality of expandable dlukes, said fl'ukes being adapted to expand solely by the driving forces transmitted thereto by said inner driving follower tube;

said flukes being fitted with massive toe plates at the driven end thereof, said toe plates being adapted to seal olf the driven end of said casing during the initial driving operation; `and each of said toe plates having an upwardly curved portion .to initiate the expansion of said ukes when said anchor yassembly is driven clear of the driven end of said casing.

6. An umbrella pile anchor as claimed in claim S wheresaid umbrella anchor assembly has means to limit the expansion of said ukes; and

indicator means for indicating the extent of expansion said flukes.

7. An umbrella pile anchor comprising, in combination:

an inner driving follower tube concentrically located within said casing, said follower tube being adapted .to drive said anchor assembly downwardly clear of the -driven end of said casing;

a frame initially concentrically located in said casing, said frame being adapted to be driven by said inner driving follower tube;

a lower base plate secured transversely of said frame;

a plurality of expandable diukes; and

means pivoting the upper ends of said flukes to said lower base plate.

8. An umbrella pile anchor comprising:

an outer protective driving casing;

an umbrella anchor assembly enclosed within the lower portion of said driving casing;

means located within said driving casing for driving the anchor assembly downwardly clear of the driven end of the casing;

said anchor assembly having a plurali-ty of outwardly expandable nkes; and

said lflukes having toe plates which have upwardly inclined surfaces so yas to react with soil when the `anchor assembly is driven downwardly, thereby outwardly expanding said llinkes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,223 11/ 1906 Langston 189-92 2,633,947 4/ 11953 Schiff 61-53.68 X

2,873,829 2/'1959 Wiegm-an 189--92 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

I. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN UMBRELLA PILE ANCHOR COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AN OUTER PROTECTIVE DRIVING CASING; AN UMBRELLA ANCHOR ASSEMBLY MOUNTED WITHIN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID DRIVING CASING, SAID ANCHOR ASSEMBLY HAVING MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID CASING, TO SEAL OFF THE DRIVEN END OF SAID CASING AGAINST THE ENTRY OF SILT AND SOIL WHILE SAID CASING IS BEING DRIVEN; AN INNER DRIVING FOLLOWER TUBE CONCENTRICALLY LOCATED WITHIN SAID CASING, SAID FOLLOWER TUBE BEING ADAPTED TO DRIVE SAID ANCHOR ASSEMBLY DOWNWARDLY CLEAR OF THE DRIVEN END OF SAID CASING; A HOLLOW FRAME CONCENTRICALLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CASING AND ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN BY SAID INNER DRIVING FOLLOWER TUBE; A FRAME BASE PLATE SECURED TRANSVERSELY OF THE LOWER END OF SAID FRAME, SAID FRAME BASE PLATE HAVING A CENTRAL APERTURE THEREIN; A HOLLOW SPACER SECURED TO THE LOWER SIDE OF SAID FRAME BASE PLATE, SAID SPACER BEING IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FRAME AND SAID SPACER BEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL SLOTS IN ITS WALLS; 